Catgirls And Dungeons-Chapter 273: Heaven’s decree

The Cursed Princess rejected the throne.

Not because anyone doubted her ability, nor because the court feared the demonic curse coiled within her heart. In truth, if she had wished to claim it, no one could have stopped her. She was simply that powerful, both in wisdom and in strength.

But she did not want it.

The weight of the crown, the endless councils, the careful smiles and poisoned words, none of it held any appeal for her. What she desired was far simpler, and far more dangerous.

She wanted to hunt demons.

She wanted to stand at the edge of her land with blade in hand and carve a path through the darkness that threatened her people. And somewhere along that path, she hoped to find a cure—for herself, and for Morvena, her dearest wife.

So she left the throne behind and allowed her siblings to quarrel over it.

While the royal court simmered with schemes and ambition, she and Morvena enlisted in the Demon Extermination Force under the command of Azraphael, her mentor, a powerful woman of mysterious origin.

Soon, the battlefield learned her name. It rolled across war-torn plains like thunder.

Demon hordes broke beneath her blade. Thousands fell. Then tens of thousands. Eventually, the number grew too vast to count.

Wherever the Cursed Princess fought, the tide of battle turned. The citizens who once regarded her with trepidation, whispering about the curse coursing through her veins, began to see her in a new light. They lifted their gazes to her, recognizing her as their shield, their guiding star—a blazing constellation against the encroaching night, a symbol of hope.

It was exactly as Morvena had once predicted, from the very day they first met.

And yet... no matter what she did, it was never enough to earn the acceptance of the Heavens.

****

And then...

One evening, Alter returned from the battlefield with blood still drying along her cheek, her armor scarred by claw and fang. In her hand, she carried the severed head of a powerful demon, its twisted horns cracked, its black blood still dripping onto the earth.

It had been a victorious day.

Countless demons had fallen beneath her blade. Their shrieks still echoed faintly in her ears as she walked through the camp, soldiers parting in silence to let her pass.

Two hundred years...

She had fought on this land for two hundred long years.

The throne she once abandoned had already passed to her grandnephews, and the kingdom had grown under new generations. Yet she remained unchanged—still at the front lines, still drenched in blood.

With a casual motion, she tossed the greater demon’s head aside and began removing her gauntlets. As always, she intended to seek out her mentor and request a few days’ leave.

She wanted to visit Morvena.

Morvena, who had long since been sealed within Luminaris, due to the progression of her demonic curse being too severe now.

But before she could even loosen the straps around her wrists, the kingdom trembled!

A deep, resonant toll rolled across the heavens.

It was the great celestial bell.

Its sound swept through mountains and cities alike, sinking into bone and marrow. Windows rattled violently. Watchtowers groaned. Even the earth seemed to shiver beneath its weight.

The angels had arrived.

Alter stepped out of her tent, her gaze lifting toward the sky.

High above, a blazing sphere of light ignited—vast enough to be seen from every corner of the kingdom. At its center stood a towering figure, bathed in radiance, two immense wings unfurled against the darkening heavens.

The light was blinding.

People poured into the streets in alarm. Some bowed instinctively, others dropped to their knees, many pressed their foreheads to the ground, not daring to look upon the divine messenger.

Reverence filled the air.

Yet beneath that reverence lingered confusion.

The descent was too early.

Something was wrong, and the people were right to feel it.

*****

Long ago, five holy realms were established by five almighty seraphim. Together, they were known as the Celestial Kingdoms:

Mikaelor, founded by Mikael.

Seraphelion, founded by Seraphiel.

Falcifera, founded by Falcifer.

Zorakhem, founded by Zorakom.

And lastly, Aphaeleon, founded by Aphael

Each Celestial Kingdom answered directly to its ruling seraph. Beneath them stood the lesser kingdoms—mortal realms placed under their protection and authority.

The order of the world was simple.

The Celestial Kingdoms shielded the lesser realms from demonic invasion. Upon request, angels would descend and offer their wisdom, strength, and healing in times of crisis.

In return, the lesser kingdoms paid tribute every five years in the form of wealth, resources, relics, and sometimes even chosen individuals. They were also bound to obey the Celestial Decrees, sacred laws said to reflect the will of the Heavens themselves.

Under such a hierarchy, any word that descended from above carried absolute authority.

Even the lowest-ranking messenger angel held a status that surpassed kings and queens. Mortal rulers might govern lands, but the angels governed fate.

This system had endured for tens of thousands of years.

It was accepted as naturally as sunrise and sunset.

No one questioned it.

No one dared to.

****

The next tribute collection was not due for another two years.

The sudden arrival of a celestial messenger was, therefore, deeply unusual.

Alter lowered herself to one knee, her armor scraping softly against the ground as she bowed her head in formal respect. Despite her countless battles and hardened will, her heart thundered violently in her chest.

What do they want this time...?

A flicker of unease stirred within her.

Don’t tell me... they’ve come to warn us of some great calamity?

She steadied her breathing.

Whatever the reason for their descent, one truth remained unshaken in her heart. No matter what, she would give everything she had to protect her kingdom, to protect the people who believed in her.

To protect the ones she loved.

Then—

"New order for the Kingdom of Ventaria!"

The angel’s voice rang out, not through the air, but directly within the minds of every living soul present!

The sheer authority behind it crushed down like a physical weight. Even seasoned warriors felt their knees weaken. Even the bravest hearts trembled.

"By decree of the Celestial Kingdom of Aphaeleon."

The light around the angel intensified.

"Princess Felicia Aurelia di Ventaria—also known as the Cursed Princess—has been deemed a grave threat to the world due to her demonic corruption! Therefore, by order of the Heavenly Court, the Kingdom of Ventaria is commanded to surrender its princess before the first light of tomorrow!"